The president of CAF, Issa Hayatou, who announced the host countries of the African Nations Championship in 2019, 2021 and 2023. | AFP/Sia Kambou

Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) President, Issa Hayatou, has warned Cosafa over a planned meeting with other member associations next month, which he claims is “an attempt to destabilise” the governing body, reports ghanasoccernet.com.

The chairman of Cosafa (the Council of Southern African Football Associations), Phillip Chiyangwa, has called for a meeting with other African FA chairmen in Harare in Zimbabwe on February 24.

CAF’s warning comes shortly after Cosafa announced it had unanimously endorsed Ahmad Ahmad as a presidential candidate in upcoming Caf elections.

Ahmad, currently the head of Madagascar’s FA, had already outlined his intention to challenge long-standing CAF leader, Hayatou, in next month’s elections in Ethiopia.

In a letter sent by CAF on behalf of president Issa Hayatou, the governing body tells Cosafa “you do not have any authority to convene such a meeting, without CAF knowledge nor without its required approval”.

It adds: “Convening a meeting with representatives of many member associations outside Cosafa zone is deemed to represent an attempt to destabilise CAF.

“We draw your attention to the obligation of all zonal unions to respect the authority of CAF, and not to conduct in any activities that undermine the common objectives of CAF, for the benefit of African football development.

“The CAF Executive Committee reserves it rights to sanction any infringement to the CAF statutes.” Hayatou is seeking an eight term in office.